Though the Mets made no moves as the July 31st trading deadline passed, rumor has it the Mets and Marlins discussed a possible deal that would have sent OF Jason Bay to the Miami Marlins for C John Buck and RHP Heath Bell. What makes this interesting is the fact that this is the first potential interest the Mets have gotten about Bay since they first put him on the market last off-season. Teams have had no interest in obtaining Bay, who is hitting well under.200 with no power. Bay, of course, has one year and $16.5 million due to him next year with a vesting option for 2014 that will become real with 600 plate appearances next season. Though some "anti-money" people always say no when it comes to the Mets taking on a contract, it was a matter of months ago where most Mets fans would have liked to see the Mets sign Bell. Bell has struggled this season, so its obvious why opinions have changed. Bell is signed through 2014, at $9 million per season and contains an option as well. Buck has one year left on his 3 year, $17.5 million deal he signed with the Marlins before the 2011 season. Buck has struggled as well, hitting under .200, but is a better option than either Mike Nickeas or Rob Johnson. For the first year of this deal, the Mets would spend less to have Buck and Bell than to have Bay. That part cannot be disputed. And if Heath Bell was a free agent after this season, and the Mets signed him to a 2 year, $18 million contract to be their closer, it makes sense. So why didn't this deal get done? The Marlins had no reason to make this trade. Yes, Bell has struggled and Buck has not worked out. But, why bring in Bay? I don't think the Marlins viewed the $9 million saved in 2014 as enough of a reason to take on Bay. Plus, with Logan Morrison and Giancarlo Stanton in the corner OFs, where is Bay to play? I guess Morrison could return to 1B, but why would the Marlins want Jason Bay? There is no way the Marlins would be able to trade him if they wanted to and it would be an unwise gamble since Bay has shown no signs of becoming the hitter he was before he joined the Mets. So, its safe to say the Mets will probably hold onto Bay before eventually giving him his release before the start of the 2013 season.